Advanced Weight Responsive Supplemental Restraint Computer System

• US 20070182139A1
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TABE, JOSEPH
• Original Assignee: TABE, JOSEPH
• Inventors: Tabe, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,814,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01197 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01272 Belt tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/44 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions not included in the retractor B60R22/19; B60R22/3405 takes precedence

Abstract

An advanced weight responsive supplemental restraint computer system that minimizes both actual and perceived dangers related to the deployment of vehicle air bag systems by distinguishing between the varying size and weight of a passenger and also sensing the imminence of a collision in order to cater the air bag deployment to the unique physical attributes of the passenger.

Claims

1. A safety system for a passenger in a vehicle, comprising:

a weight sensor configured to measure the passenger'"'"'s weight when the vehicle is started and also while the vehicle is running;

an air bag, in communication with said weight sensor, configured to apply an amount of force in proportion to the passenger'"'"'s weight.

2. The safety system of claim 1, wherein said weight sensor is in communication with a load cell underneath a passenger seat.

3. The safety system of claim 1, further comprising a control module in communication with said weight sensor and said air bag.

4. The safety system of claim 1, further comprising erasable programmable read only memory in communication with said weight sensor.

5. The safety system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer in communication with said weight sensor.

6. The safety system of claim 1, further comprising a means for communicating that a passenger should not be seated in a front passenger seat of the vehicle, in communication with said weight sensor.

7. The safety system of claim 1, wherein said air bag is configured to deploy at a speed and force that are proportional to the passenger'"'"'s weight.

8. The safety system of claim 1, further comprising a means for detecting a rear end collision, in communication with said air bag.

9. The safety system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer configured to receive passenger weight information from said weight sensor and configured to generate a controlled energy that determines acceleration output needed to deploy said air bag.

10. The safety system of claim 9, further comprising at least one processor in communication with said accelerometer.